Striking Notions: Coming Soon, One World
After years of local flavor, it's a big bass planet
Dear LIVE SOUND! International, I run a major PA Company in Taiwan
that serves both Taiwanese and International clients.
Is there an ideal curve that my System Techs should target when using
their 1/3rd octave analyzers to adjust our 1/3rd octave graphic equalizers
on the main loudspeaker system?
Does this “ideal curve” differ globally from region to region?
Sincerely Yours,
Daniel Ku-Winly
Engineering and Trading Ltd
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DEAR MR. KU
I am immediately reminded of a university pal, named Neil, who was walking
a footpath, three days west of Tumkur, in the deep south of India, near
Bangalore. It was the late 1970s, and Neil was waaaay out there.
An aspiring Buddhist aesthetic, Neil’s personal mission was to get as
far as possible from his native Yankee civilization. Eventually Neil wandered
into a circular hut/kiosk at a remote near-jungle crossroads.
Almost immediately he was immediately sent running for his spiritual life
after he observed the Kiosk owner /operator gyrating wildly to a bootleg
cassette of the BeeGees’ Staying Alive on a highly distorted boombox.
BOTTOMLINE
Popular culture has already wedged its way into every corner of the globe.
Like everything else, equalization curves are subject to the tastes of
the evolving global village.
It has been twenty plus years now, since Neil took his spiritual journey
and during that time the forces of world culture have gained irresistible
momentum. Based on the world wide correspondence we receive at LSMAG!
it seems, the notion of regionally-specific “ideal curves” is nearly obsolete.
REGIONAL ROOTS
Before we go further, we must agree that the concept of an “ideal curve”
is a specific reference to culturally-dependant pyschoacoustic preferences.
As such, Mr. Ku you have actually asked two questions.
First, you have asked whether listener preferences differ from place to
place. Second, assuming such regional preferences do exist, you ask precisely
what these preferences are.
To answer this question, we must examine the roots of pyschoacoustic tastes.
Worldwide, indigenous music is, most frequently, melodic- based music
dependant on stringed instruments such as guitars violins etc.
As such, traditional music tends to be mid-frequency heavy. Accordingly,
regional tonal tastes were almost always formed in reaction to regional
musical tastes.
Instrumentation for local folk music is usually the prime mover. Asian
listeners, especially indigenous Chinese have long displayed preferences
towards mid and upper mid range frequencies.
Ask any loudspeaker manufacturer who began exporting product to China
in the early 1990s. More often than not, the American/British, bass-dominant
loudspeakers seemed unnatural to old-school Chinese ears.
Still, our editorial conversations with second-generation, american-born
Asians confirm that it doesn’t take long for tonal tastes to conform with
local (bass heavy) tastes.
BACK TO THE QUESTION AT HAND
Historically, geographic and cultural differences in tonal preference
have been undeniable and widespread. These differences were extremely
prominent prior to Edison’s invention of the phonograph.
These differences have slowly disappeared as sophisticated playback systems
evolved during the twentieth century. There does remain a notion of British
sound vs American sound. (see the Clapton story in this issue)
This difference however, remains especially subtle and more like a creative
EQ application to create a certain “sound”. This matter of “sound” essentially
relates to artist’s preference, as opposed to any indigenous audience
tastes.
Many traditional, regional cultural standards are disappearing. Several
factors contribute to this trend including MTV, Rap, Reggae and dance
music/dance culture.
Powerful, modern bass is the foundation of dance culture, rap music, and
reggae. Walk into any night club, on any night in any major world city
and the bass will be omnipotent.
During the 1990s, the technical capacity to produce heavy, modern bass
became nearly universal. The results accelerated a global homogenization
of tonal preferences.
The results are a rapid evaporation of regional preferences regarding
tonal balance. We are witnessing the end of distinct regional tonal cultures.
Strategically, the answer to your question the answer is probably no.
A generic “world curve” has evolved. You don’t need to prepare your crews
for regional tonal tastes.
This curve is bass, and sub bass heavy. More often than not, it is all
your crew will need to know.
September/October 2001 Live Sound International